- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Xantusia vigilis
- CLASSIFICATION
- Reptile
- LIFE SPAN
- 2-5 Years
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
The Desert Night Lizard is found primarily in desert habitats but may also range up into adjacent chaparral and lower pine woodland. It lives in and under decaying Joshua trees and other species of yucca, beargrass, prickly pear, and pine logs.
- Mojave desert
- Sand Dunes
- Warm desert riparian
Threats
- Habitat Loss
Natural History
The Desert Night Lizard eats insects, spiders, and other arthropods found by burrowing under plant litter and desert debris. These lizards are small in size and very secretive in nature, making them difficult to find. They are seldom found in the open away from cover and they may live under the same cover for much of their life. They are diurnal and crepuscular, but nocturnal during the warmest summer months.
Because these lizards spend most of their time under the cover of logs and rocks, they do not have very many predators. When they have to leave their cover other lizards, snakes, and birds would be potential predators of them. They can lose their tails if being pursued and are pretty quick lizards.
Fun Facts
OTHER Species
